Joint NSF/NIH Initiative to Support Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience (CRCNS)

[Dennis Glanzman]

I would like to bring the following program announcement to your
attention.  The complete announcement may be accessed in HTML, PDF or
ASCII format via the National Science Foundation's website at
http://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?nsf02018

Please excuse duplicate mailings if you receive this notice more than once.

Excerpts from the program announcement follow:

JOINT NSF/NIH INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH IN COMPUTATIONAL
NEUROSCIENCE  (CRCNS)

The most exciting and difficult challenge facing neuroscientists is to
understand the functions of complex neurobiological systems.  Computational
neuroscience provides a theoretical foundation and set of technological
approaches that may enhance our understanding of nervous system function by
providing analytical and modeling tools that describe, traverse and
integrate different levels of organization, spanning vast temporal and
spatial scales.  Computational approaches are needed in the study of
neuroscience as the requirement for comprehensive analysis and
interpretation of complex data sets becomes increasingly important.
Collaborations among computer scientists, cognitive scientists, engineers,
theoreticians and neuorobiologists are imperative to advance our
understanding of the nervous system.

Participating Directorates of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the
Institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) plan to support
interdisciplinary research in computational neuroscience.  Both agencies
recognize the need for research that focuses on integrating computational
models and methods with neuroscience.  This solicitation is designed to
encourage new and existing collaborations at this interface.

ASSURANCE OF COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH EFFORT ACROSS SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES

The driving principle behind this program solicitation is the recognition
that projects crossing traditional academic interdisciplinary boundaries
often bring about increased productivity and creativity when collaborative
efforts include participation by scientists and engineers bringing their
experience and training from widely varying backgrounds.  Such
interdisciplinary collaborations are required and should be demonstrated in
the grant proposal, for example, by naming a co-investigator with academic
credentials and appointment in an area different from that of the principal
investigator, or by other means.  A typical research collaboration might
include a computer scientist and a neurobiologist.  This interdisciplinary
approach can also be demonstrated by a single investigator with appropriate
multidisciplinary expertise.  Proposals should describe interdisciplinary
work to be done.  Applications that are not clearly collaborative and/or
interdisciplinary in nature will be returned without review.

AWARD INFORMATION

It is estimated that approximately $7.0 Million ($3.0 Million from NSF and
$4.0 Million from NIH) will be available for this competition.  Award sizes
are expected to range from $100,000 to $500,000 per year with durations of
3-5 years.  Estimated program budget, number of awards and average award
size/duration are subject to the availability of funds.

PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Letters of Intent: Must be submitted via email at crcns at nsf.gov by December
14, 2001.

Letters of intent should be sent from the prospective PI by email to
crcns at nsf.gov, and should contain the PI and the co-PI's names, a list of
possible participating institutions, a possible title, and not more than 500
words to describe the work enough to permit intelligent choice of
reviewers.  Letters of intent will not be evaluated or used to decide on
funding.  They are requested to assist NSF and NIH in planning the review
process.  The submission of letters of intent enables NSF to begin choosing
panelists before the proposal submission deadline.

Full Proposal: Must be submitted by February 4, 2002.

Proposals submitted in response to this program announcement/solicitation
should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines
contained in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG).  The complete text of the
GPG is available electronically on the NSF Web Site at: http://=
www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gpg. Paper copies of the GPG may be obtained from
the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (301) 947-2722 or by e-mail
from pubs at nsf.gov.



--

Dennis L. Glanzman, Ph.D.
Program Chief for Theoretical
and Computational Neuroscience
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, MSC 9637
Bethesda, MD  20892-9637

Phone:  301.443.1576
Fax:  301.443.4822